Erotic

2.5 stars (better than ok but i wouldn't say I much liked it either.)This is a tough book for me to review. I'm an Austen person & must admit that I've never found Bronte heros inflamed a thing in my heart close to adoration. So I went into reading this book as one who respects the classic work but does not hold it as so sacred a thing. Because of that, I can say that for what it is, it's a decent enough effort. It's a lurid, smut romp. No one reading this is going for the literary value or as a comparison piece to the original. I didn't find it sexy or erotic but as I've said, I've no deep affinity for the original characters. I've also read much better scenes in other books. I saw this Jane as a different iteration from the original work & once I took it all as far less serious, I zipped right through it. The very last for the ending was a nice twist. While I didn't see that coming, it was again a departure from the original & I didn't dislike that. I daresay that the ending makes up a bit for the rest. As the Jane in this story ends in a different place than the original, I wonder if there will be a series of the further adventures of Jane & will she again cross paths with Rochester.

If there are people out there who have not read Jane Eyre (I have to imagine they do walk the earth & may well read on occasion), they may adore it from beginning to end. I wouldn't recommend this for those who have deep devotion to the original but then I expect that should they pick this up to read it, they know it's not a serious re-telling & should be prepared for it to be exactly what it is. This is not the worst thing I've ever read but it is hardly a sign of the downfall of literature or erotica. This is a mediocre attempt, mostly forgettable & probably will satisfy large swathes of readers who are just looking for something quick & titillating. Again, there are worse things in print.

I won a paperback copy of this book from the publisher. ( )

By: Charlotte Bronte and Eve Sinclair
Published By: St. Martin's Griffin
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 3
Book Blog For: GMTA
Review:

"Jane Eyre Laid Bare: The Classic Novel with an Erotic Twist" by Charlotte Bronte and Eve Sinclair was a historical romance with some erotic tones and twists. So reader be aware of this! This was a novel that sometimes I had to reread to make sure I was reading what was written....WOW! Only asking myself is this for real? Now, this was really over the top for me and I have read some reads in my lifetime but this one over did it for me. Now, these authors do know how to write.. I will give them that much but this OMG was way over the charts for me to handle or like at all. No, I have never read the original Jane Eyre and after this read I doubt I will attempt it either. Now, I have read erotica novels before but still this one tops it all. I found the erotic twist if that is what you call it ...where did it fall into the story? Well, all I can say is this one wasn't for me. I found this version simple over the top ...NOT! So, here are my thoughts on this novel...It wasn't for me but for those who swing out there maybe you can get with it... but not for my liking to recommend this tale to you. ( )

Bronte fans might be offended by Eve Sinclair's sexing up of Charlotte's classic - and Austen afficionados will no doubt be rendered apoplectic over the same treatment of Pride and Prejudice - but I love this sort of playful rebranding, if done well. That, and I have never been an admirer of plain Jane, sorry to say. I love the punchy dialogue between Rochester and his governess, but find the romance between them to be more disturbing than Wuthering Heights. So when I heard about Sinclair's 'erotic twist' on the novel, I could immediately see the potential.

Sinclair builds on Rochester's dark and secretive nature, and translates the prim and proper young governess into a passionate and highly excitable nymphomaniac. Since Jane and Rochester are kept physically apart for most of the original story, apart from a few smouldering exchanges, most of the erotic passages in Sinclair's version consist of voyeurism and Jane having to satisfy herself. Rochester's house party assumes a whole new level of entertainment, and the tentative flirting between Jane and her master is naturally ramped up to keep pace. Aunt Reed's death is barely touched upon, Jane's stay with the Rivers is left out, and the story ends with the aborted wedding, so this is a very selective revamp of Bronte's novel, but what Sinclair adds is great fun. 'Titillating' rather than erotic, the best scene is a rather racy horse riding lesson, followed by a very modern 'make-under' for Jane.

This is not a serious, respectful or even very original twist on Jane Eyre, yet Eve Sinclair's liberated take on Charlotte Bronte's Victorian romance actually works very well. I always had my suspicions about Rochester, and even practically perfect Jane must find a way to relieve her pent-up feelings! ( )